Hydrogen-bonding clusters leading to formation of supramolecular dimers of metalloporphyrin receptors: modulation of Lewis acidity by pi-pi interactions

Two remarkable crystal structures are reported of a cyclic receptor 1, containing two metalloporphyrin units. The overall crystal structure of 1 provides the first direct evidence that pi-stacking between two metalloporphyrins reduces the Lewis acidity of the metal ion and thereby dramatically reduces the affinity of zinc for external ligands; this effect was previously suggested indirectly by solution state binding studies. In addition, crystallising 1 from a different combination of solvents and the ability of 1 to distort its structure leads to the remarkable observation of a supramolecular dimer of inter-penetrating macrocycles, 4, held together by clusters of hydrogen-bonded methanol molecules.

Photophysical and electrochemical characterisation of the interactions between components in neutral pi-associated

The electrochemical and photophysical properties of a variety of neutral pi-associated [2]catenanes have been explored by using cyclic voltammetry, absorption and luminescence spectrophotometry and the measurement of exited-state lifetimes. Several trends that could be correlated with interactions between the mechanically linked components of the structures were revealed from comparative study of catenane precursors, model compounds and the [2]catenanes themselves. Throughout, emphasis is placed on pair-wise comparisons between systems which differ in a single structural feature. Substitution in a catenane of a pyromellitic diimide unit by a naphthalene diimide yields more readily reduced derivatives, whose absorption spectra reveal charge transfer within the catenane to be a lower energy process of reduced intensity. Conversion of the butadiyne links within the diimide macrocycle of the catenanes to saturated chains results in an increase in both the energy and intensity of their charge-transfer bands; electrochemically these derivatives are all harder to reduce than the parent systems. Replacement of one of the electron-donating components of the catenanes with a less effective aromatic donor bearing a carboxy group also decreases the energy and intensity of the charge-transfer feature and is accompanied by a slightly more ready reduction. A sequence of reduction and translational events is proposed to explain the intriguing electrochemical behaviour of a catenane that contains one pyromellitic and one naphthalene diimide. For some systems the photophysical and electrochemical techniques, whilst exploring distinct physical phenomena, are shown to be in good agreement by comparison of shifts of electrochemical reduction waves with those of charge-transfer absorption features.

STM Images of Individual Porphyrin Molecules on Cu(100) and Cu(111) Surfaces.

Simply sublime! Samples of monomeric and dimeric zinc porphyrins were sublimed onto a Cu surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Images obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy at room and low temperature (98 K) show features attributed to individual porphyrin molecules with excellent resolution. In the case of the (relatively large) linear dimer shown, two distinct conformations were detected on a surface with low coverage area. R=CH(2)CH(2)COOCH(3).

Disulfide-strapped porphyrins for monolayer formation on gold

Porphyrins with a disulfide-containing strap have been prepared as an alternative to dithiols for self-assembled monolayer formation on gold surfaces. The strapped porphyrins have the advantage of greater air stability than their dithiol analogues. Cis and trans atropisomers of a strapped porphyrin were isolated. Gold electrodes modified with dithiol and disulfide porphyrins were not identical as evidenced by contact angle or electrochemical measurements.

Macrocyclization and molecular interlocking via Mitsunobu alkylation: highlighting the role of C-H...O interactions in templating

[reaction: see text] A series of diimide-based macrocycles have been prepared using Mitsunobu-mediated alkylation as the macrocyclization step. These macrocycles could not be incorporated into [2]catenanes using previously established building blocks and coupling methodology. However, when one of the macrocycle syntheses was conducted in the presence of a dinaphtho crown ether, catenane formation was achieved. This result is discussed in terms of the ability of the components to establish intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen-bonding contacts.

The effect of varying substituents on the equilibrium distribution and conformation of macrocyclic steroidal N-acyl hydrazones

The equilibrium distribution of deoxycholate-based macrocyclic N-acyl hydrazones is dependent upon the nature of the substituents at the 3- and 12-position. These substituents can also influence the preferred conformation of the macrocycles. The conversion of pure cyclic dimer and trimer into a mixture of both components, in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, has been demonstrated and an X-ray crystal structure obtained of a macrocyclic N-acyl hydrazone dimer.